How To Prevent Mold Recurrence

7/9/2022 (Permalink)

Mold growth after water damage in Saratoga Springs, NY.

Mold Recurrence: How To Avoid It

Recurring mold growth in your Saratoga Springs, NY, business is unwelcome and frustrating. Fortunately, knowing the causes for the recurrence will help you keep the problem at bay.

Necessary Conditions
Mold returns for the same reason that it occurs in the first place: The conditions are right. The following are three things that fungi need to thrive:

• Warmth
• Food source
• Water source
  
  

Most indoor locations are warm enough to support mold. Nutrient sources, including pulpy products, dust and dirt, are regularly found in most buildings as well. The presence of water, however, can generally be controlled.

Prevention Methods
Even if a professional restoration company performs the initial mold removal, it is still up to you, the business owner, to prevent future growth. As discussed above, the presence of water is generally the easiest condition to control. If the area with the recurring mold problem is prone to high humidity, install a dehumidifier to remove the moisture from the area. Address water damage as quickly as possible and dry up spills, leaks and all standing water immediately.
In addition to keeping the area as dry as possible, there are specialized products available that are resistant to mold growth. Common options include paints, primers and fabrics. There are also sprays that can be applied to certain surfaces that are thought to help repel mold.

Another option is minimizing the number of mold spores present in the area. These spores occur almost everywhere, so it can be helpful to trap them in a HEPA filter before they have a chance to colonize. You may even have a chance to address two factors with one product if you select a combination dehumidifier and purifier.
Ideally, mold that has been properly removed would not return. However, this is not always the case. Fortunately, there are a variety of tactics available to those who are struggling with recurring mold growth.